미안해 엄마
mianhae eomma
The English phrase "sorry mom" is translated into Korean as 미안해 엄마 (mianhae eomma).
This phrase is used to express an apology specifically addressed to one's mother.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 미안해 is the casual form of an adjective meaning "to be sorry" or "to be apologetic".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 미안해 엄마 uses the informal/casual verb ending -해. In Korean, it is very common and natural to swap the order of the person being addressed and the apology. Therefore, 엄마 미안해 is just as common as 미안해 엄마.
How do you pronounce it?
mianhae eomma
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, a sincere apology to a parent often involves a physical gesture of bowing the head or body, as the spoken word alone may seem insufficient.
- The word 엄마 actually originated from a linguistic fusion of the formal word for 'mother', 어미, and the vocative particle -아 used to call out to someone.
- Even when speaking to their own mother, a Korean person would switch from 엄마 to the more formal 어머니 when talking about her to a third party.
Examples in context
- 엄마, 미안해. 어제 친구와 싸웠어, 너무 후회돼.Mom, I'm sorry. I had a fight with a friend yesterday, and I regret it so much.
- 미안해 엄마, 내가 잘못했어.mianhae eomma, naega jalmot-haesseo.Sorry mom, it was my fault.
- 늦게 와서 미안해 엄마.neutge waseo mianhae eomma.Sorry mom for coming home late.
Example conversation
Hyun-woo accidentally broke a vase at home.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo미안해 엄마, 내가 그랬어.mianhae eomma, naega geuraesseo.Sorry mom, I did it.
- 서연 Seo-yeon뭐를 깬 거야, 현우야?mwo-reul kkaen geoya, hyeon-u-ya?What did you break, Hyun-woo?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo꽃병을 깨뜨렸어. 미안해 엄마.kkotbyeong-eul kkaetteuryeosseo. mianhae eomma.I broke the vase. Sorry mom.
- 서연 Seo-yeon다음부터는 조심해.da-eum-buteoneun josimhae.Be careful from now on.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 엄마, CC BY-SA 4.0.
